Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1212-1229

Fish Quotas

Ceisteanna (1212)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

1212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the way in which mackerel quota is currently allocated by his Department, in the context of a very detailed submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 4 April 2107 to ensure that problems encountered by some factories will be addressed in an equitable way in order to avert factory closures and job losses in pelagic processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20147/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy may be aware, I received a request from the Irish South and West Fish Producer Organisation to allocate the increase over 2016 of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2017 entirely to the Polyvalent Segment on a 1 year pilot basis in exchange for the recipient vessels forgoing demersal fishing in order to gauge the impact on the demersal vessels.

This matter has generated a lot of discussion in the industry and I have received many representations on the matter. After having carefully considered the matter, I decided that, without prejudice, there is a case for a review of the policy on allocations between the RSW Pelagic segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet, taking account of the request by the IS&WFO. In that regard, I decided that I am restricting consideration to the increased quota for Ireland in 2017 over that in 2016.

It is important to note that I have not made any decision at this time to change the allocations between the segments in respect of this part of the quota. All relevant issues will be carefully evaluated and subject to a full consultation with stakeholders before I decide if any amendment to the policy is justified for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishery.

The public consultation process concluded on 28th February 2017 and 353 submissions were received.  I can inform the Deputy that the party that made the submission of 4 April 2017 to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine also made similar submissions in the context of the public consultation process. All submissions received in that process are currently being evaluated.

To support transparency in this process, it is intended that all views received on the Consultation Document and/or any clarification provided will be publicly made available on the Department’s website. Following the closure of the formal consultation process, any meeting that may be held with stakeholders will be open to all interested stakeholders that have engaged in the public consultation. 

The case submitted to me by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been made also as part of the stakeholders consultation on this review.  It is important to note, however, that quotas are made available to the owners of licensed sea fishing boats by me in line with the provisions of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 as amended.  It is a matter for the owners of fishing vessels to decide the port of landing and I have no role in that regard.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (1213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an information technology system will be put in place for the health herd programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20153/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Animal Health Measures online system for the Knowledge Transfer Programme is in the final stages of development and will be delivered shortly. In the meantime KT approved Private Veterinary Practitioners (vets) may register the connection with their clients and complete the required actions in preparation for recording the data when the system is live.

Harbours and Piers Development

Ceisteanna (1214)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of funding for a pier (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20159/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Cleandara Pier is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance, repair and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance, and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.

Under my Departments annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, funding is provided to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways, owned by them, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

I have allocated €2.8m under this years programme to assist 13 Coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 51 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them.

On 3rd February, initial applications under the Programme were invited from all coastal Local Authorities. Our records indicate that my Department did not receive a funding application for Cleandara Pier. Should a future application be submitted by Cork County Council in relation to this pier, it will be given due consideration.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1215)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under the GLAS scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20224/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

An inspection was carried out on the holding resulting in a penalty for non compliance with the maintenance requirements for the Geese and Swan habitat.  The person named exercised his right to request a review of the findings of the inspection to the responsible Regional Inspector in the Department who has upheld the inspection findings.  The person named has been notified in writing of the outcome of this review and of his right of appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1216)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20240/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid his first instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

The prepayment checks for the balancing 2015 payment showed that further checks were required as he had participated in the AEOS scheme and transformed to GLAS before the end of that contract.  My officials have now completed these additional checks and the application will now be further processed with a view to issuing the 2015 balancing payment after which the 2016 payment will be processed.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1217)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1217. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS 2 payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20241/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

The prepayment checks for the 2016 scheme year showed that further checks were required as the person named had participated in the AEOS scheme and transformed to GLAS before the end of that contract.  My officials have now completed these additional checks and the application will now be further processed with a view to issuing the 2016 payment.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1218)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20242/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

The 85% payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named.

The balancing 15% in respect of 2016 will issue in due course.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1219)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20244/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the prepayment checks an issue presented which has now been examined and the application will now go through the 2015 balancing payment prepayment checking process again with a view to issuing payment at the earliest opportunity.

Following the issue of the balancing payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the 2016 scheme year payment will be further processed.

TAMS Applications

Ceisteanna (1220)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20247/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named has submitted a payment claim for investment works completed under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS 11. There is an issue with an over claim in this case which will be resolved as soon as possible.

Agriculture Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (1221)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1221. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that have applied under the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme; the number of dairy, tillage, beef farmers and so on that have applied for the scheme; and if they have been successful. [20277/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), making €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors. Distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.

SBCI uses the €25 million of public funding provided by my Department to leverage the total amount of €150 million and, along with the European Investment Fund’s ‘COSME’ (the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs), is providing the guarantee required to underpin the loan’s flexibility and lower the cost of the loans. My Department’s contribution of €25million includes €11 million from the EU’s ‘exceptional adjustment aid for milk and other livestock farmers’.

The participating banks will report on progress to the SBCI on a regular basis.  Although no official returns have been made to my Department as yet, I will shortly make preliminary information on the Scheme available. The banks have confirmed that they have applications up to the amounts available under the Scheme. There may be some residual availability but this will only emerge as applications are processed and loans drawn down

I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance. I am currently meeting with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other issues relating access to finance in the agri-food sector. I am asking the banks to respond positively to this demand by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future.

Fishing Licences

Ceisteanna (1222)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a fishing licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The application for an aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).

All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.  My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of ‘Natura’ areas.  This data collection programme is substantially complete.  This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS.  Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. 

The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the relevant licensing determinations have been made based on applications to hand at the time of the assessment.

The specific application referred by the Deputy was submitted to my Department subsequent to the carrying out of the Appropriate Assessment process for this harbour. Accordingly, it was not possible to assess this application against the designated Conservation Objectives for the harbour.

The optimum method for appropriately assessing applications by individual operators, who were not included in the initial overall assessment procedure, is under active consideration by my Department. The process must comply with best scientific practice and be achieved in a manner which will be acceptable to the national authorities and to the EU Commission.  

In the meantime, the assessment procedures agreed with the EU Commission require Appropriate Assessments in respect of aquaculture activities to be carried out by the national authorities and unilateral departure from these arrangements is not possible.

 Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this matter as soon as possible.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1223)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20376/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

 During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the Commonage action. Department officials have resolved this issue and the application will now be further processed for the 2016 payment.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1224)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1224. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20377/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the 2015 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases.  Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2015 payment as soon as possible.

Following the issue of the balancing payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the 2016 scheme year payment will be processed.

Transfer of Entitlements Application

Ceisteanna (1225)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1225. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the transfer of entitlements to a person (details supplied). [20437/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The first named person submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by lease as transferor.  This application has been fully processed and both parties have been notified in writing on 12th April 2017.  Payment on foot of this transfer of entitlements application was made directly to the bank account of the second person named on 19th April 2017.

GLAS Appeals

Ceisteanna (1226)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

1226. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal in relation to a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); when the appeal will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the 2015 balancing prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to parcels on which Low Input Permanent Pasture action is selected.  Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

Following the issue of the balancing payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the 2016 scheme year payment will be further processed.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1227)

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

1227. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay with regard to the remaining applications for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20462/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named is a member of a registered farm partnership whose application was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the Catch Crops action. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.

TAMS Applications

Ceisteanna (1228)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

1228. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20514/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application for grant-aid under the Animal Welfare, Nutrient and Storage Scheme of TAMS 11 in the last tranche which closed on 7 April 2017.  The application has been checked and queries have been raised with the applicant. Once resolved the application will move to the next stage.

All applications in a given tranche have to be assessed and ranked and selected and then undergo final technical checks in the local office before approval issues.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1229)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1229. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20518/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the commonage action. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.